We need donations of clean, sorted, gently used or new items for the sale, volunteers with vans or trucks to transport large furniture contributions, and volunteers to assist during set-up week, assembling the sale infrastructure, sorting, and displaying sale items. On the day of the sale we require cashiers, baggers, and sales personnel in addition to clean up volunteers after the sale endsNSUC members may nominate a 501 3 (c) not-for-profit agency for a grant by completing a Social Action Grant Proposal form found at church by the office or on the website in Member Forms.
Our most recent sale, in June 2011, was a fabulous success! If you’d like to receive a postcard to learn more about Rummage and participate next year please email your full address to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Rummage Sale 2013 is Fast Approaching
This year’s Social Action rummage sale is June 15, 2013. We will begin accepting donations in June and begin internal setup shortly thereafter. For more information go to www.nsucrummage.org.
Social Action
The primary goal of the rummage sale is to raise funds for NSUC’s social action outreach.
Cash Grants
In 2011 rummage sale proceeds were used to issue $13,600 in grants ranging from $200 to $600 to 30 area social and environmental organizations. Recipients included:
- A Safe Place
- Boys and Girls Club of Lake County
- Health Reach Center
- Lake County Haven
- Waukegan Township Staben Center and House
- Chicago Wilderness Trust
Grant recipients are nominated by members of the NSUC community. To nominate a recipient for this year’s sale or to view the full list of recipients, please visit http://www.nsucrummage.org/grant-request.
Unsold Items
Not only do social organizations benefit from the grants derived from the proceeds of the sales, but also unsold items are donated to downstream charities for use in their own fundraising activities. Last year’s charities included the Cancer Federation, Women’s Residential Services, Christian Outreach of Lutherans (COOL), and the Allendale School Thrift Shop.
Affordability
Thousands of shoppers from all over the Chicagoland area come to the rummage sale each year. Many of these shoppers would not otherwise be able to afford that special toy or gently used outfit were it not for the rummage sale.
Environmental Benefits
Items donated to the rummage sale find a new home where they may become someone’s long-needed essential or a newfound treasure. Most importantly, they get another life and stay out of the landfill. Also we work with the Environmental Task Force to ensure that unsold electronics and metals are properly recycled.
Community and Fellowship
Last year over 120 members of the NSUC community came together to make the sale a reality. These members contributed by helping with setup before the sale and cleanup after. They sorted items, prepared food for volunteers, and served as cashiers and assistants on sale day. Volunteers worked together, shared meals and conversation together, and got to know each other better.
What Can You Do?
Volunteer
This year a number of key people are unable to work on the sale. This is an excellent opportunity for new members or those new to rummage sale to step up and fill a key role. If you can’t make that kind of commitment, there are still lots of opportunities to participate. Stop by our recruitment center after service on Affirmation Sunday or visit www.nsucrummage.org/volunteer.
Donate
Simplify your life, clean out that closet, and reduce the clutter - save those gently used items for the rummage sale and bring them in starting June 3. For donation guidelines and hours or to request a pickup go to www.nsucrummage.org/donate.